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My daughter is already raiding my loose change banks for pennies for next week’s Red Ribbon drive. I’m happy to post the announcement below from RADD, Recording Artists, Actors and Athletes Against Drunk Driving (shouldn’t they be called RAAADD?) because one of my old basketball players, Shea Weber, is in the band “Impulse” which is peforming. Shea is a clutch three point shooter and you can find videos of his musical skills on YouTube. Here’s a link: http://www.youtube.com/user/sheaweber15#p/a/u/0/_nPMyqdOpOQ
Seriously, drivers who are drunk, high, impaired by prescription drugs or exhausted endanger everyone. Education and action on the part of individuals to keep impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel is critical to our safety as a community. And if you’re ever in a situation where someone is suggesting you get a cab or perhaps you can catch a ride home, it’s called a hint. Take it as a compliment that someone cares enough about your safety and the safety of those on the road to keep you from getting behind the wheel. Now isn’t the time to emulate Andy Quatch and Van Tran isn’t coming to your rescue.Â
The announcement and details on the event are after the jump:
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Three OC high school bands will be dueling for top honors and a professional recording session on Saturday, October 17th during the 2nd annual OC Battle of the Bands segment of the Rock ‘N Road 2009 Event at The Block At Orange. Contest organizers are the Orange County Task Force, comprised of more than 35 agencies, NGOs, advocates and sponsors, who will be kicking off OC’s annual Red Ribbon Week observance throughout the county, and in the process reminding teens that traffic crashes are the number #1 killer of teens in California and throughout the country.Â
A panel of expert judges voted the 15 entries on technical ability, creativity, and energy. Three (3) finalists #1 Impulse and tied for #2 Sterling Heart and Transcend have been selected to compete live on stage at The Block on Saturday. The winner of the event will receive the grand prize of a professional recording session at the legendary Can Am Studios. Close runner-ups are #4 Doubting November and #5 Walking Backwards.Â
Fans, friends, parents and everyone who loves music is invited to join with emcee KIIS DJ Fat Daniel, at Rock N’ Road 2009, a countywide prevention music-and-safety event for Orange County to be held on October 17, 2009 at The Block At Orange from 2-8 pm. There will be music all day on the stage until 8 pm, and a safety festival that runs from 2-6 pm, with task force members and sponsors like the Automobile Club of Southern California, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and www.Rockmoto.com hosting games, giving out free prizes and information related to the themes of drug and alcohol prevention and safe driving for teens. Headlining at 7 pm will be last year’s winners, the Nicky Barot Band, from Los Alamitos High School where leader Nicky Barot maintains a 4.0 GPA, and has professional tour lined up.
 In addition to the two live competitions, Battle of the Bands and Battle of the Banners (submitted by 30 OC high schools and displayed for voting onsite) and the interactive youth fair, a 4 pm official Kick Off Ceremony for Red Ribbon Week, will feature a presentation of the Red Ribbon Week Proclamation by the OC Board of Supervisors and a roll call/honor ceremony for all countywide law enforcement agencies with officers in MADD OC’s prestigious “Century Award,†bestowed for making 100 or more arrest of suspected drunk drivers on our county’s roads in the past year.  Following opening remarks by City of Orange Mayor Carolyn V. Cavecche and Orange Police Chief Robert Gustafson, the Supervisors, musicians and Orange County’s prevention stakeholders will take the stage to sign the Proclamation and collectively proclaim that Red Ribbon Week 2009 is only the start of Orange County’s year-round commitment to protect its youth. ###
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When: Saturday, October 17, 2 pm – 8 pm
Where: The Block at Orange (Square in front of the AMC Theater)
Get Flyers/Info:Â www.rocknroadOC.info
SCHEDULE: Live on Stage: Live stage performances and battle of the bands finals will be held at 3 pm, 4pm (media event) and 5pm, followed by announcement of the winning band and banner at 6 pm, then the concert at 7 pm featuring the winning band and last year’s winners, Nicky Barot Band. Â
MEDIA EVENT: Official “RRW Launch†and ceremony to honor MADD “Century Award†winning law enforcement officers begins at 4 pm on the stage
Live Events: Battle of the Bands (three finalists) and Battle of the Banners; Everyone is welcome to participate. Come vote for your school’s banner and be entered to win prizes donated by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Exhibitor/Sponsor Contact: Â Grace Tan, NCADD-OC at gtan@canoc.org or 949.595.2288 Ext.# 315.Â
Event and Task Force Co-Chairs:Â NCADD-OC and RADD
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Collaborative partners for the second annual “Rock ‘N Road OC 2009†include:
- National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence, NCADD-OC
- RADD: The Entertainment Industry’s Voice for Road Safety
- Orange County Department of Education, OCDE
- Orange County Friday Night Live Partnership, FNL
- ACCESS Safe Schools and Support Services
- Peer Assistant Leadership, PAL
- Alcoholic Beverage Control, ABC
- Local Law Enforcement Agencies from cities and county, CHP & all city’s Sheriffs
- Fourth District PTA (Orange County)
- OC Health Care Agency, ADEPT
- Community Service Programs, CSP
- Project PATH & FAITH Coalition
- Coalition for Alcohol-Free Youth, CAFY-OC
- South Orange County Underage Drinking Task Force
- University of California, Irvine
- Students Against Destructive Decisions, SADD
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Office of Traffic Safety
- CalTrans
- Prevention Coalitions of Orange County
- Orange County DUI Task Force
- Orange County Superintendents
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving, MADD-OC